After allowing his two brothers to rest and recover from their injuries, the courtyard gradually became quiet once more.
Su Qian, Fire Elder Huo, Lin Xiuya, Han Yue, Bai Cheng, Jia Yun, and the others all left to handle their own matters.
Xiao Feng, however, had no intention of wasting any time.
The Blood Puppet Technique was useful, but it was far from what he truly wanted.
What he wanted was the legendary Heavenly Demon Puppet refinement method and the Artificial Heavenly Flame creation technique that he remembered from the ancient records.
If he could obtain those things, not only could he create powerful bodyguards for the Xiao Family and Fire City, but he might even be able to imitate some of the cultivation effects of Heavenly Flames.
Even if it only reached ten or twenty percent of the original effect, it would still be enough to greatly increase the overall strength of his faction.
Thinking of this, Xiao Feng immediately set off to find someone.
Someone who possessed enough strength, courage, and appetite for treasures to accompany him.
Zi Yan.
Soon, he found her beside a lake near the Inner Academy.
The purple-haired girl was sitting cross-legged on a large rock while happily eating medicinal pills one after another as if they were ordinary snacks.
A bottle of medicinal pills disappeared into her mouth every few breaths.
Her face was filled with pure satisfaction.
Crunch.
Crunch.
Crunch.
The sound of pills being chewed continuously echoed around the lake.
Xiao Feng's eyelids twitched.
Only Zi Yan would dare treat high-grade medicinal pills like candy.
Noticing his arrival, Zi Yan's eyes immediately brightened.
"Xiao Feng!"
She instantly jumped from the rock and appeared beside him.
"Did you bring more pills?"
Xiao Feng shook his head helplessly.
"Not yet."
Zi Yan's expression immediately fell.
"Oh..."
Then Xiao Feng continued.
"But if you help me find some treasures, I'll refine several new batches for you afterward."
Before he even finished speaking, Zi Yan's eyes lit up like stars.
"Treasures?"
"New pills?"
"How many?"
Xiao Feng thought for a moment.
"Enough to help your cultivation advance significantly."
The next moment, Zi Yan grabbed both of his shoulders.
"Deal!"
Her agreement was so quick that Xiao Feng couldn't help laughing.
"I haven't even told you where we're going."
Zi Yan proudly patted her chest.
"It doesn't matter."
"If you're asking for help personally, then whatever we're looking for must be something valuable."
"And valuable treasures are my specialty."
She lifted her chin proudly.
"Besides..."
"You promised me pills."
"Lots of pills."
"That's all I need to hear."
Xiao Feng could only shake his head.
As expected.
Treasures and medicinal pills were the fastest way to motivate Zi Yan.
After explaining his plan briefly, Zi Yan became even more excited.
The possibility of ancient inheritances, hidden treasures, rare techniques, and valuable resources was enough to make her nearly drool.
Without waiting for Xiao Feng to finish speaking, she directly grabbed his wrist.
"Let's go!"
"Right now!"
"Every second we're standing here is another second the treasures might disappear!"
Before Xiao Feng could react, Zi Yan had already begun dragging him toward the Black Corner Region.
The surrounding students watched in amusement as the mighty new Dou Huang pulled the Fire Faction Leader away like an impatient child.
Xiao Feng smiled bitterly.
"At least let me prepare first."
"We can prepare on the way!"
Zi Yan replied immediately.
Then she suddenly turned around.
"Oh right."
"You better keep your promise."
"What promise?"
"The pills."
"I know."
"The really good ones."
"I know."
"The ones with lots of energy."
"I know."
"The ones that taste good too."
Xiao Feng finally laughed.
"Fine."
"If everything goes smoothly, I'll refine them for you."
Hearing those words, Zi Yan practically cheered.
Then the two figures quickly left the Inner Academy and headed toward the Black Corner Region.
One was searching for ancient techniques and hidden treasures.
The other was thinking only about the mountain of medicinal pills waiting for her after the journey.
For once, both of their goals aligned perfectly.
As the two traveled at high speed through the Black Corner Region, Xiao Feng remained vigilant the entire time.
A faint yet powerful soul fluctuation continuously spread from his body.
Having already reached the Peak Mortal Realm in soul power, his perception far exceeded that of ordinary Dou Kings and even many Dou Huangs.
More importantly, he carefully concealed their tracks while erasing any traces of their passing.
Along the way, they encountered numerous battles.
Some involved groups of bandits ambushing caravans.
Others were conflicts between rival factions fighting over resources, treasures, and territories.
Several times, Zi Yan looked eager to interfere.
However, Xiao Feng merely shook his head.
After scanning the memories and identities of several groups through soul perception and observation, he discovered that almost all of them were native Black Corner Region forces.
None of them were innocent people.
Most had blood on their hands and survived through robbery and slaughter.
Since both sides were equally ruthless, Xiao Feng had no intention of wasting time interfering.
Their objective today was far more important.
After several hours of travel, a massive mountain range gradually appeared before them.
At its center stood a dark valley filled with an ancient and oppressive aura.
Demon Flame Valley.
One of the most dangerous factions in the Black Corner Region.
Even many powerful Dou Huangs would avoid provoking it without reason.
As soon as they entered the surrounding area, Xiao Feng and Zi Yan slowed down considerably.
The two landed several miles away from the main valley and began approaching on foot.
Zi Yan looked around curiously.
"Why are we sneaking around?"
Xiao Feng replied quietly.
"Because the treasure we're looking for belongs to someone very troublesome."
"If he discovers us, things will become difficult."
Hearing this, Zi Yan immediately became excited.
A troublesome enemy usually meant valuable treasures.
The more dangerous the owner, the richer the rewards.
The two carefully approached the central region.
At the same time, Xiao Feng's soul power spread outward like invisible ripples.
His perception swept across the entire Demon Flame Valley.
One palace.
Three palaces.
Ten palaces.
Training grounds.
Storehouses.
Underground chambers.
Hidden tunnels.
Nothing escaped his search.
Several powerful Dou Huang auras appeared within his perception.
However, after repeatedly scanning the entire area, Xiao Feng finally relaxed slightly.
The aura he feared most was nowhere to be found.
The Old Demon was absent.
No Dou Zong-level presence existed within the valley.
At least not at this moment.
A smile appeared on Xiao Feng's face.
"This is our chance."
Zi Yan blinked.
"The old fellow isn't here?"
Xiao Feng nodded.
"Not only is he absent, but he appears to have taken most of the strongest experts with him."
"For us, this is the perfect opportunity."
"There may never be another chance like this in the near future."
Zi Yan immediately cracked her knuckles.
"Then what are we waiting for?"
"Let's rob them."
Hearing her straightforward answer, Xiao Feng almost laughed.
"Keep your voice down."
"We are here to borrow some things."
Zi Yan rolled her eyes.
"That's just robbery with extra words."
Ignoring her comment, Xiao Feng continued searching the area.
Soon, his soul power discovered an unusual fluctuation hidden beneath one of the side palaces.
Formation traces.
Concealed mechanisms.
And an underground passage.
His eyes immediately brightened.
"Found it."
Without wasting another second, Xiao Feng led Zi Yan toward the hidden location.
Arriving before an ordinary-looking stone wall, he carefully examined the surrounding formations.
To outsiders, the wall appeared completely normal.
However, under soul perception, numerous hidden runes and energy channels became visible.
After studying it briefly, Xiao Feng pressed several concealed points in sequence.
Rumble!
The wall trembled slightly.
A hidden stone door slowly emerged from the mountain itself.
Cold air rushed outward from the darkness beyond.
Both Xiao Feng and Zi Yan exchanged glances.
Excitement appeared in their eyes.
Whatever was hidden inside, it had clearly been protected with extreme care.
And treasures guarded this heavily were rarely ordinary.
Without hesitation, the two stepped through the secret entrance and disappeared into the darkness.
Zi Yan led the way through the hidden passage deep beneath the Demon Flame Valley.
The tunnel was narrow and dark, with only the faint glow of crystal stones embedded in the walls providing light.
After walking for several minutes, the two finally reached the end of the passage.
A stone wall covered in thick weeds and moss appeared before them.
At first glance, it looked completely ordinary.
However, Xiao Feng's soul power could clearly sense faint energy fluctuations hidden behind it.
Zi Yan immediately grinned.
"Found it."
Without waiting for Xiao Feng to say anything, she clenched her small fist.
Bang!
Her punch landed heavily on the stone wall.
Cracks instantly spread across the surface.
Broken stones scattered in all directions.
Before the wall could even stabilize, Zi Yan punched it again.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Like a tiny human-shaped magical beast, she continuously hammered the wall with her fists.
Moments later, a ten-meter-thick stone passage was forcefully smashed open.
Dust filled the air.
Behind the broken wall was a pitch-black cave hidden deep within the mountain.
Zi Yan proudly placed her hands on her hips.
"See? Easy."
Xiao Feng looked at the destroyed tunnel and could only shake his head.
"This old ghost really hid it deeply."
The hidden passage behind the wall was not very long.
At the end stood a long stone staircase descending into the depths of the mountain.
An ancient aura drifted upward from below.
The deeper they went, the colder the surrounding air became.
After roughly ten minutes of descending, the staircase finally came to an end.
A massive black stone door appeared before them.
The stone door was nearly thirty feet tall.
Its entire surface was covered in dark-green moss.
Ancient symbols and mysterious patterns could be vaguely seen beneath the moss.
The heavy aura of time emanating from it made it obvious that the door had existed for many years.
Zi Yan stared at the door.
Then she stared at her fists.
A dangerous smile slowly appeared on her face.
Xiao Feng instantly recognized that expression.
It was the same expression she made whenever she planned to smash something.
Usually expensive things.
Or important things.
Or both.
Without hesitation, Zi Yan stepped forward.
"Move aside."
"I'll open it."
Her fist was already glowing with powerful Dou Qi.
However, before she could strike, Xiao Feng quickly grabbed her wrist.
"Wait."
Zi Yan blinked.
"What?"
"Don't be impulsive."
Xiao Feng looked at the ancient stone door carefully.
"What if there are Restrictions or defensive formations attached to it?"
"If you trigger them by force, everything inside could be destroyed."
Hearing this, Zi Yan immediately froze.
Destroyed treasures?
Absolutely unacceptable.
Her expression became serious.
"Then what should we do?"
Xiao Feng stepped forward and slowly placed his palm against the stone door.
At the same time, his Peak Mortal Realm soul power spread throughout the entire structure.
Invisible soul threads carefully examined every inch of the door.
Formation lines.
Energy channels.
Ancient seals.
Concealment mechanisms.
Nothing escaped his investigation.
Several minutes passed.
Zi Yan impatiently sat on the floor nearby.
She even took out a medicinal pill and began chewing while waiting.
Crunch.
Crunch.
Crunch.
Finally, Xiao Feng opened his eyes.
A smile appeared on his face.
"I found it."
Zi Yan immediately jumped up.
"Found the treasure?"
"No."
"The mechanism."
His finger pointed toward one of the ancient symbols near the bottom corner of the stone door.
Then another.
And another.
There were seven symbols in total.
All were connected through hidden formation lines.
"This should be the opening sequence."
"If I'm not mistaken, forcing the door open would have activated a self-destruction formation."
Zi Yan's eyes widened.
She immediately looked at the door with hostility.
"How shameless."
"Hiding treasures and trying to destroy them."
Xiao Feng laughed.
"That's how most powerful people protect their inheritances."
Following the flow of the formation, he pressed the seven symbols one after another.
Click.
Click.
Click.
Low mechanical sounds echoed throughout the underground chamber.
Then the entire mountain trembled slightly.
Rumble!
The enormous stone door slowly began to move.
Dust and ancient air poured outward from the gap.
As the opening widened, a rich energy fluctuation surged from within.
Even Xiao Feng and Zi Yan felt their hearts quicken.
Treasures.
A large number of treasures.
The energy fluctuations coming from inside were far stronger than either of them had expected.
Zi Yan's golden eyes immediately lit up.
Xiao Feng's breathing also became slightly heavier.
The stone door finally opened completely.
An enormous underground treasure hall appeared before them.
Rows of jade shelves.
Ancient scrolls.
Countless medicinal ingredients.
Weapon racks.
And numerous sealed stone platforms filled the hall.
For a moment, both of them stood there silently.
Then Zi Yan pointed inside and declared excitedly:
"We are rich."
Xiao Feng nodded seriously.
"For this trip..."
"We really are."
As the two entered deeper into the treasure hall, even Xiao Feng could not help but feel amazed by the collection before him.
The hall was filled with treasures that would cause countless Dou Kings and Dou Huangs to fight to the death.
Any one of the Earth Rank techniques or rare medicinal ingredients here would be enough to start a bloody battle in the Black Corner Region.
Yet now, all of them were gathered in a single place.
Xiao Feng quickly calmed himself and began working.
His Peak Mortal Realm soul power spread throughout the hall.
Like hundreds of invisible hands, his soul force swept through shelf after shelf.
The first things he examined were the cultivation techniques and Dou Skills.
For the Profound Rank cultivation techniques, Xiao Feng only gave them a brief glance before leaving them untouched.
The Xiao Family already possessed cultivation techniques of equal or superior quality.
However, the Profound Rank Dou Skills were different.
Many of them contained unique combat concepts and applications.
Using his powerful soul force, Xiao Feng rapidly memorized and copied every useful Dou Skill.
One scroll after another was recorded within his mind.
After finishing the Profound Rank section, he moved directly to the Earth Rank shelves.
This time, he copied everything.
Earth Rank cultivation techniques.
Earth Rank Dou Skills.
Movement techniques.
Secret arts.
Support skills.
He left nothing behind.
Even techniques that were incompatible with his own attributes were carefully copied.
The Xiao Family, Fire City, and his future allies could all benefit from them.
Time slowly passed.
One hour.
Then another.
Nearly two full hours later, Xiao Feng finally completed his task.
Had he copied every single scroll in the hall, it would have taken several more hours.
Fortunately, he ignored many inferior techniques that held little value to him.
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Feng stretched his neck slightly.
At that moment—
Crunch.
Crunch.
Crunch.
A strange sound suddenly echoed through the treasure hall.
It sounded as though someone was chewing rocks.
Xiao Feng immediately frowned.
He turned toward the source of the noise.
Then his expression darkened.
Zi Yan.
The purple-haired girl was happily sitting on top of a treasure chest.
In her hand was a crimson spiritual fruit.
And she was eating it.
Crunch.
Crunch.
Like an oversized rabbit.
Xiao Feng's eyelids twitched violently.
Before Zi Yan could take another bite, he instantly appeared beside her and snatched the fruit away.
Zi Yan blinked.
"zi yan!"
Xiao Feng immediately examined it.
After confirming what it was, he let out a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, only a small portion had been bitten off.
Without hesitation, he took out an identical fruit from his storage ring and carefully placed it back where the original had been.
Only then did he turn toward Zi Yan.
His expression was unusually serious.
"Zi Yan."
The sudden tone made her straighten subconsciously.
"Didn't I tell you not to touch anything here?"
Zi Yan lowered her head slightly.
"But I was hungry..."
"This isn't about being hungry."
Xiao Feng sighed.
"If the owner discovers that items have gone missing, he may investigate."
"We are already taking a huge risk by being here."
"The owner of this place is a Dou Zong stronger than Grand Elder Su Qian."
"If he discovers our identities, he won't just target us."
"He may cause trouble for the Inner Academy, the Fire Faction, and everyone connected to us."
Zi Yan froze.
Only now did she realize the seriousness of the situation.
Seeing Xiao Feng angry for perhaps the first time since they met, she suddenly felt guilty.
Her eyes became slightly red.
She lowered her head and remained silent.
At that moment, she looked nothing like the mighty Dou Huang capable of beating powerful experts into the ground.
Instead, she resembled a pitiful little cat being scolded by its owner.
Seeing her appearance, Xiao Feng's anger immediately faded.
He knew Zi Yan had not acted out of malice.
She simply trusted him too much and had not thought about the consequences.
After a moment, Xiao Feng sighed helplessly.
Then he reached out and gently rubbed her head.
"Alright."
"I'm not truly angry."
Zi Yan slowly raised her head.
"Really?"
"Really."
Xiao Feng smiled.
"I only wanted you to understand the situation we're in."
"You're not a little girl anymore."
"You're becoming an adult now."
"There are some things you need to think about more carefully."
Zi Yan looked away awkwardly.
Although she didn't admit it, she knew he was right.
Seeing her mood improve slightly, Xiao Feng continued.
"As an apology for scolding you..."
"I'll refine several high-grade pills for you when we return."
Zi Yan's eyes immediately brightened.
"And..."
"I'll give you a special gift."
This time her entire face lit up.
The sadness instantly disappeared.
"Really?!"
Xiao Feng laughed.
"Really."
Before he could say anything else, Zi Yan suddenly slapped away his hand.
"Stinky Xiao Feng!"
"Don't touch my head!"
Xiao Feng blinked.
"Why not?"
Zi Yan crossed her arms angrily and puffed out her cheeks.
"It'll stop me from growing taller!"
For a moment, the treasure hall fell silent.
Then Xiao Feng burst out laughing.
Zi Yan's face immediately turned red.
"Stop laughing!"
"I mean it!"
Unfortunately for her, Xiao Feng only laughed harder.
And for the first time since entering the dangerous treasure vault, the tense atmosphere completely disappeared.